Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1887-01-22

the DuSn, growing as (Od Dldlltu ", anu IhO
other greens of the mealie gardens and the
sugar patches, while here and there a white
house, smiling out on the placid sea, puts
finish and gives an air of homeliness to the
scene. For to my mind however beautiful
vinw may be, it requires the presence OF man
to make it complete, but perhaps that is be-
callsek have lived SO much in the wilderness,
and therefore know the value OF civilization,
though to be sure it drives away the game.
The Garden of Ellen, no doubt was fair be-
fore man was, but always think it must
have been fairer when Eve was walking
about it. But we had mIscalculated little,
and the sun was well down before we
dropped anchor off the Point, and heard the
gun which told the good folk that the En-
gIish mail was in. It was too late to think
of getting over the bar that night so went
down comfortable to dinner, after seeing the
mails carried off in the lifebOat.
When we came up again the moon was up
and shining so brightly over the sea and
shore that she almost paled the quick, large
flashes from the lighthouse. From the shore
dOated sweet spicy OdorS that always re-
mind me of hymns and missionaries, and IN
the windows of the houses on the Berea
sparkled hundred lights. From large
brig lying near came the music OF the sailors
as they worked at getting the anchor up to
be ready for the wind. Altogether 1t was
perfect night, such night as you only get
in Southern Africa, and it threw garment
Of peace over everybody as the moon threw
a garment of silver over everything. Even
the great bulldog, belonging to sporting
passenger, seemed to yield to the gentle IN
fluences, and giving up yearning to come 10
close quarters with the babOon in the cage
on the foc'Sle, snored happily in the door OF
the cabin, dreaming no doubt that he had
finished him. and happy in his dream.
We all, that is Sir Henry Curtis, Captain
Good, and myself-went and sat at the
wheel, and were quiet for awhile.
''Well, Mr. Quatermain," said Sir Henry,
presently, shave you been thinking about
my proposals."
a"Ay," echoed Captain Good, what do
you think Of them, Mr.. Quatermain? hope
you are going to give us the pleasure OF your
company as far as SolomOn's Mines, OF
wherever the gentleman you knew as
Neville may have gone to-"
/ rose and knocked out my pipe before
answered had not made up my mind, and
wanted the additional moment to complete
it. Before the burning tobacco had fallen
into the sea it was completed justin little
extra second did the trick. pt is often the
-Hva sEaen you have been boEheringia long
time over thing.
"Yes, gentlemen" l said, sitting down
again, Il will go, and by your leave | will
tell you why and on what terms. First fol
the terms which ask.
Il. You are to pay all expenses, and any
ivory or other valuables we may get is to be
divided between Captain Good and myself.
80. That you pay me G5OO for my services
on the trip before we start, undertaking to
serve you faithfully till you choose to aban-
don the enterprise, or till we succeed, or dis
aster oyertakeS us.
SO. That before we start you execute q
deed agreeing, in the event of my death OF
disablement, to pay my boy Harry, who is
studying medicine over there in London al
GUYS Hospital, a sum of e200 year for five
years by which time he ought to be able to
earn a living for himself. That Is all
think, and | dare say you will say quite
enough too"
No" answered Sir Henry, Il accept
them gladly. am bent upon this project
and would pay more than that for your help,
especially considering the peculiar knowl,
edge you possess"
VERY well. And now that have made
nv terms / will tell you my reasons fol
making up my mind to go. First of all, gen.
tlemen, have been observing you both fol
the last few days, and If you will not think
me impertinent, l will say that like you,
and think that we shall come up well to the
woke together. That is something, let me
tell YOU. when one has long journey like
this before one.
And now as to the journey itself, tell
you fatty, Sir Henry and Captain Good, that
| do not think it probable that we can come
out Of it alive, that is, if we attempt to cross
the Suliman Mountains What was the fate
of the old Don da SilveStra three hundred
years ago? What was the fate OF his de-
Scendant twenty years ago? What has been
your brothers fate? | tell you frankly, gem
tlemen, that as their fate was so believe
ours will be"
paused to watch the effect of my words
Captain Good looked little uncomfortable;
but Sir Henry's face did not change. I'VE
must take our chance" he said.
"YOu may perhaps wonder, why, II /
think this, ], who am, as told you, timld
man, should undertake such journey. 1t
is for two reasons. First, / am fataliSt,
and believe that my time is appointed to
come quite independently of my own move
ments, and that if am to go to Suliman's
Mountains to be killed, shall 90 there and
shall be killed there. God Almighty, no
doubt knows His mind about me, so | need
not trouble on that point. Secondly | am a
poor man. For nearly forty years / have
hunted and traded, but have never made
more than a living. Well, gentlemen, l
don't know if you are aware that the aver
age life of an elephant-hunter from the time
he takes to the trade is from four to five
wears, So you see l have lived through
about seven generations of my class, and l
should think that my time cannot be far on
anyway. Now, if anything were to happen
to me in the ordinary course of business, by
the time my debts were paid there would be
nothing left to support my son Harry whilst
he was getting in the way of earning liv-
ing. whereas now he would be provided for
for five years. There is the whole affair in
a nutshell"
"Mr. Quatermain," said Sir Henry, who
had been giving me the most serious atten-
tion, ''yOur motives for undertaking an en-
terprise which you believe can only end in
disaster reflect great deal of credit on you.
Whether or not you are right, time and the
event of cnnrse alone can show. But wheth-